"He's under sedation and he’ll remain that way probably until early next week," Brian said.

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Meldrum suffered fractures to his skull, ribs, shoulder and vertebrae and a punctured lung in the fall, which happened about 6.40pm yesterday.

Although no one saw the incident, it is believed that Meldrum was attempting to decorate the spa area, above his outdoor bar, before a Christmas party he had planned for Sunday. He had been due to fly to Thailand next week.

Mr Klemens also thanked the public for the "incredible outpouring of support" for Meldrum since news of the accident broke last night.

"The public response worldwide has been amazing and we're very grateful," he said.

"Molly is an icon, he's loved in Australia and all over the world and he’ll be touched by all the messages of support.

Friends console one another outside the hospital after Meldrum was brought in in a critical condition. Photo: Wayne Taylor

A spokesperson for The Alfred said that while medical staff are "cautiously optimistic", Meldrum is in a critical but stable condition and the next 48 hours remain crucial.

Brian Meldrum said "the bruising will get worse before it gets better, so they need him under sedation until that happens".

"He has a broken shoulder, fractured clavicle, fractured ribs and a punctured lung. Also fractured vertebrae but not particularly threatening. They can't do anything with those injuries until they get the head injury stabilised," he said.

"At the moment there's little steps forward, but there's nothing to say things couldn't go backwards. He's not out of danger as far as his life goes, he's certainly not out of the woods yet. But at the moment things are progressing the way they wanted them to.

"It's devastating but these things happen and there's no point falling in a heap."

"He's very rarely overwhelmed by anything - probably prince Charles was the only person who ever overwhelmed him - but he would be totally and utterly overwhelmed by the amount of support that's come from all around this country and over the world, from people from all rank and file, from the top to the bottom. He would be totally and utterly overwhelmed by that. That gives us tremendous heart. When you know there's so many people out there pulling for him, well he's a fair chance, you know."

Aussie rock icon Molly Meldrum

Earlier, the neurosurgeon who operated on Meldrum last night to relieve pressure on his brain, said the music legend was fighting a life-or-death battle.

Jeffrey Rosenfeldsaid Meldrum was in a "deep coma" when he arrived at The Alfred, and a pressure monitor had been put in his brain.

Meldrum would undergo further scans but Professor Rosenfeld did not believe he would require further surgery today.

"We're really concerned for his life, it's a life-or-death matter," Professor Rosenfeld, a world-leading neurosurgeon, said outside the hospital today.

"Here he was perfectly well yesterday and here he is today fighting for his life, we're fighting that battle with him and for him.

"He has been very stable overnight so we're very pleased with that and we're doing a scan on him this morning, a brain scan, to see what progress is like.

"I think at the moment it's unlikely he will need more surgery but we will need to wait and see what that scans shows."

Asked about Meldrum's prospects of making a complete recovery, Professor Rosenfeld said it was "too early to say".

"I'm hoping that he will remain stable and not require further surgery."

Meldrum suffered a fractured skull, head injuries, shoulder injuries, broken ribs and a punctured lung, his manager, Mark Klemens, said outside the hospital this morning.

He said the next 24 hours would be critical in determining his recovery.

"He has extensive injuries as you're aware," Mr Klemens said, adding that Meldrum was "fit as a fiddle" before the accident.

"He's not conscious at the moment but he's got through the night, which is a positive.

"I'm totally optimistic. I've looked after Molly for a long time and he's a great mate so I'm totally optimistic.

"He's an absolute trooper and whenever he's been down before he gets straight up so I would be hopeful and confident that he'll be back looking down the lens saying: 'Do yourself a favour'," he told reporters outside the hospital.

"I know everybody's prayers and thoughts are with Molly and I know he'd be absolutely humbled by that.

"I suspect there'll be little change [in his condition] today.

"It happened so quickly. It's been a horrendous time ... he's a very special man."

Meldrum's brother Brian is among those who have been keeping a vigil at his bedside.

Paramedics were called to Meldrum's house about 6.40pm. "He was unconscious when we arrived," said an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman. "He has been placed in an induced coma and taken to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition."

News of the accident has sparked an outpouring of support from high-profile friends on Twitter, where #LoveYouMolly was trending across Australia.

Long-time friend Kylie Minogue, who was presented with an award by Meldrum when she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame last month, tweeted: "Sending LOTS of love to Molly Meldrum ... Get well soon x :)"

Prime Minister Julia Gillard also sent her support on the micro-blogging website: "Australia's thoughts are with you Molly. Keep fighting JG," she tweeted this morning.

Meldrum's beloved Melbourne Storm also joined the chorus of support, tweeting: "Everyone is sending their thoughts & prayers to Molly Meldrum this evening. Lifelong supporter that is at the heart of the club."

Garry Spry, who said he had been friends with Meldrum for several decades, said Meldrum's brother Brian was by his side.

"I think they're pretty positive up there. But he's OK at the moment, he's in an induced coma, he showed signs of recognising people I believe," Spry said.

Russell Morris, whose 1969 hit The Real Thing was produced by Meldrum, was among friends and relatives who gathered at the hospital last night.

Morris had spent yesterday afternoon with Meldrum, planning a recording of the Tom Petty song I Won't Back Down in support of Australia's new Tour de France cycling team.

Collingwood president and friend Eddie McGuire found out about the accident at last night's launch of the Big Bash League side, the Melbourne Stars.

"We are just stunned, and all praying and hoping that he will be OK," he told The Age. "So close to Christmas, it's just one of those ones that just really hit you hard. Molly is a wonderful person and a huge part of our lives, of this city, of sport and of the music industry and we desperately hope he is OK."

Friend and fellow St Kilda Football Club fanatic Shane Warne is believed to have found out after he left the launch.

A neighbour of Meldrum's, Cristina, said she arrived home and a friend told her that Meldrum had been taken away on a stretcher. An ambulance remained parked outside Meldrum's house last night.

Meldrum is one of the most famous names in Australian music. He was the talent co-ordinator of music program Countdown from 1974 to 1987, and helped launching the careers of some of the world's biggest acts, including Abba and Duran Duran.

During The Beatles' tour of Australia in June 1964, Meldrum was captured by TV cameras climbing atop the bonnet of their car shortly after arrival at Melbourne airport.

He was famous for mangling the language and once, when interviewing Prince Charles, referred to the Queen as "your Mum". He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1986.

Meldrum traditionally hosts a Christmas night party for friends and music industry identities, but had brought it forward this year because he was due to fly to Thailand next week.

Molly is one of those people who has become a part of every Australians life, whether you knew him personally or not. Such an awful thing to happen at this time of year.

As much thoughts and love as I can muster to your family.

Get well mate.

Commenter

chiefaroonie

Date and time

December 16, 2011, 7:26AM

We all grew up with Molly and Countdown, even my Grandmother who sat next to him on a plane about 20 years ago had fond memories. He is just one of those fixtures who I am sure most of Australia think of fondly, hoping he can recover from this and favour us with his easy grin and manner for years yet.

Commenter

Em

Date and time

December 16, 2011, 7:29AM

We love you Molly! Please hear the thoughts, prayers and support coming your way from all over the world, and let them inspire you to fight and get better!! xxx

And please everyone else... take care with decorations, and ladders and cleaning gutters, because this can happen so quickly and life is so precious!

Commenter

Irene

Date and time

December 16, 2011, 7:34AM

Hang in there Molly. We need you to support the Oz music scene for years to come!!!